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Turkey

April 28, 2026

Ankara 11:24 pm

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Cadets of the Saiqa Force (Special Forces) of the self-styled Libyan National Army affiliated with eastern strongman Khalifa Hifter take part in a graduation ceremony in tribute to the force's late commander, Wanis Bukhamada, in the eastern city of Benghazi, on Jan. 20, 2022.

In first, Libya’s rival armies to join drill in Turkey: What to know

The move follows the first joint exercise inside Libya amid renewed international efforts to unify the country.

Turkey's submarines and fast-attack craft ships participate in the live-fire phase of the Blue Homeland-2026 (Mavi Vatan) tactical military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, in Antalya on April 9, 2026.

Turkey’s military spending jumps to $30B, leads Mideast growth in 2025

Newly released data shows Ankara’s military spending hit $30 billion, while Saudi Arabia remained the region’s top spender and Israel’s outlays declined in 2025.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosted the third meeting of the foreign ministers of Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on the margins of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, on April 17, 2026.

Analysis

Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan

The proposed framework faces major hurdles and fault lines, ranging from NATO constraints to Israeli opposition and weak military integration.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

CORLU, TURKEY- MARCH 2: A B model of Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA (Assault Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) in the sky on March 2, 2022 in Corlu, Turkey. (Photo by Baykar Press Office/dia images via Getty Images)

Turkey’s Baykar tests K2 swarm kamikaze drones for first time: What to know

Baykar tested its K2 and new loitering drones, featuring AI-driven swarm capabilities and the ability to operate under GPS jamming.

Latest News

Trump envoy Barrack’s embrace of 'strong leaders' sparks fury in Turkey

US Ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack attends a meeting with President Donald Trump and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Oval Office at the White House on Sept. 25, 2025, in Washington, DC.

How Syria's border opening with Iraq redefines Turkey-Kurd balance

Members of Iraq's security forces stand guard on the the al-Rabia border crossing with Syria on April 20, 2026.

Analysis

Italy’s TB3 drone deal signals turn toward Turkey amid US-NATO tensions

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shake hands during the press conference following their meeting at Villa Doria Pamphilj, on April 29, 2025, in Rome, Italy.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Ezgi Akin

Associate Editor (Turkey)

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

A supporter holds a portrait of Selahattin Demirtas, detained leader of Turkey's pro-Kurdish opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), and shows her hand scribbled with the Kurdish word for "No", during a rally for the upcoming referendum in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir, Turkey, April 15, 2017. REUTERS/Sertac Kayar - RTS12FFR

Turkey's AKP claims Kurdish support for referendum, Kurds say otherwise

As Turkey continues to roil in the aftermath of the referendum, the ruling party is now claiming the Kurds helped President Recep Tayyip Erdogan win in what Kurdish leaders call "blatant disinformation."

Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan celebrate in Istanbul April 16, 2017. REUTERS/Huseyin Aldemir - RTS12K66

How does Muslim world view Erdogan's referendum win?

Turkey's referendum, which gave rise to fresh debate with the West, is also likely to affect Turkey's relations with the East, especially the Middle East.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses his supporters at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, April 17, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTS12NX1

Erdogan charts victory lap in Washington

Even as controversy rages in Turkey, newly empowered President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems to already be gaining international legitimacy and is making plans to visit Washington for formal talks.

Merchants chat in front of a currency exchange office at the historical Grand Bazaar, known as the Covered Bazaar, in Istanbul, Turkey, January 12, 2017. Picture taken January 12, 2017. To match Insight TURKEY-ECONOMY/LIRA-RETAIL REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RTSWSW7

What’s next for Turkey’s economy under 'new system'?

Turkey’s new governance model, narrowly approved by a disputed referendum, adds more uncertainty to the country’s continued economic downturn.

Birds fly near men riding a motorcycle through a damaged neighbourhood in the northern Syrian town of al-Bab, Syria March 4, 2017. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RTS11G2W

Under Turkey's watch, al-Bab tries to rebuild

The Turkish government is working on rehabilitating the Syrian city of al-Bab after the Islamic State’s withdrawal, considering it an arrangement that benefits both sides.

A woman holds a banner reads, "Dear Ataturk; honesty didn't work again. I am sorry" as she and other people wait in line to submit their personal appeals to the High Electoral Board for annulment of the referendum, in Ankara, Turkey, April 18, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTS12RUF

Calls for referendum annulment rise in Turkey

Turkey's electoral board is being inundated with annulment petitions from political opposition and citizens alike as allegations of cheating and intimidation continue in the aftermath of the country's vote to grant its president sweeping new powers.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses his supporters at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, April 17, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTS12ODH

Where does referendum leave Turkey's ties with West?

Experts expect more trouble between Turkey and the United States and Europe in the coming period, but will it lead to a complete breakdown in ties?

Free Syrian Army fighters gesture as Turkish military vehicles drive in the Syrian rebel-held town of al-Rai while heading towards the northern Syrian town of al-Bab, Syria January 9, 2017. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RTX2Y605

FSA sees 'golden opportunity' with end of Turkey's operations in Syria

The Free Syrian Army is conducting intense training in Aleppo’s countryside in preparation for future battles now that Turkey has announced the end of its operation in Syria.

A Turkish army tank drives towards to the border in Karkamis on the Turkish-Syrian border in the southeastern Gaziantep province, Turkey, August 25, 2016. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTX2MYVY

Ankara not backing down from Iraq intervention

A week after announcing an end to operations in Syria, Turkey announced that it plans to launch a military operation in Iraq against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Sinjar, a move guaranteed to outrage the Baghdad government.

A man reads Sabah newspaper bearing a headline which translates as "Revolution of people"" in Istanbul on April 17, 2017, a day after Turkey's referendum.
The deputy leader of Turkey's opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) called on April 17, 2017 for the results of a referendum agreeing new powers for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to be annulled. / AFP PHOTO / YASIN AKGUL (Photo credit should read YASIN AKGUL/AFP/Getty Images)

Erdogan's referendum win no clean sweep

Turkey’s historic referendum has passed, yet the "yes" camp’s slim margin of victory and the opposition’s accusations of foul play mean Turkish politics will remain volatile.

Turkey’s security sector becomes latest arena of Islamism debate

Increasingly divisive Islamic and ultra-nationalist arguments in Turkey have started to plague the country's security sector following last summer's coup attempt.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greets supporters as he leaves Eyup Sultan mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, April 17, 2017. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RTS12LTA

Where does Erdogan's referendum win leave Turkey?

The result of Turkey's referendum was far from the mandate the country's president was seeking and leaves much of the population — and outside world — questioning the legitimacy of the process.